More Like Jesus Pt4
Living a Life of Prayer
May 20, 2018
- More Like Jesus
- Living a Life of Prayer
1.(2 Cor. 5:17-20; 6:1 all AMP) Christ’s personal representatives.
a.(Matt. 5:13 MSG) Salt and Light
b.(Eph. 4:1; 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:1 all AMP) more like Jesus.
2.If Jesus lived a life of prayer, you know we need to live a life of prayer.
a.(Luke 3:21-22) at His water baptism
b.(Luke 5:15-16) after healing leper
c.(Luke 6:12-13) selecting 12 disciples
d.(Luke 9:16 AMP) before feeding the multitude
e.(Luke 9:18) privately praying
f.(Luke 9:28-29) Jesus transfigured
g.(Luke 10:21NIV) the 70 return with joy
h.(Luke 11:1) Lord, teach us to pray
i.(Luke 18:1, 6-8 MSG) parable of the unjust judge
j.(Luke 22:39-46 AMP) Garden of Gethsemane
k.(Luke 23:33-34, 45-46) praying on the cross
3.Prayer for the new covenant believer is not something we have to do to please God. Prayer is a benefit we have and should take advantage of because of the relationship and favor we have with God through Jesus.
a.Prayer without the foundation of relationship becomes religious formulas and mechanics that are ineffective.
b.The primary purpose of prayer is to establish and maintain an intimate relationship with the Lord.
- (1 Cor. 1:9 NIV; Gen. 1:8-9 MSG; Exo. 25:8 MSG; [John 1:14; 14:16-18 all NIV])
c.God wants a personal relationship with you to guide and lead you into an abundant victorious life that wins the lost for the kingdom of God.
- (John 3:16; 17:3 all NIV) eternal life is knowing and having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
- (Matt. 7:21-23) “…I never knew you…”
- (Heb. 8:6-13 MSG) the new covenant clauses are all about knowing God intimately and being led by Him.
d.Prayer is communication, communion or fellowship with God based on God’s Word.
e.The best way to understand this fellowship is by understanding a loving husband/wife, parent/child relationship or best friend’s relationship. (Prov. 18:24 NIV)
- Communion is daily, constant and fits into your normal day.
- At times it’s appropriate and even necessary to isolate yourselves alone for times of intimacy.
- Not all times are spectacular or sensational.
- There are times of joy, sadness and correction.
4.Prayer is to acknowledge God and allow Him in your life both generally and specifically.
a.Your consistency and dependency on God in prayer says to God “I need You in my life, finances, career, relationships, decisions…”
- Our lack of prayer says to God “I don’t need you.”
5.(Jas. 5:13-18) “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much…”